The wheelchair-bound centenarian, who has lived his entire life in Oakland, California, has been ordered to clean up graffiti on the outside of his fence or face a likely fine of thousands of dollars.
Earlier this month, 102-year-old Victor Silva Sr. received a notice from the City of Oakland ordering him to remove graffiti on his property by March 19th. Failure to remove the blight could result in a fine of $1,100, plus nearly $1,300 in fines. Each time you fail an additional follow-up test, KTVU report.
Mr. Silva, a retired contractor who has lived in the same house for 80 years, said he dealt with the problems himself until age started to take effect. “I grabbed a roller and a paintbrush and just painted. I was a contractor so it was pretty easy,” he told the outlet. “Also, he’s going to be 103 in about two months, so that’s slowed us down a little bit.”
During Silva’s lifetime, crime in Oakland steadily increased, and graffiti became common in his neighborhood. As soon as he cleans his premises, more graffiti appears in the place. “As soon as he starts painting, it is difficult for him to continue. [there’s] It’s going to be graffitied again, and it’s not going to last,” said Silva’s son, Victor Silva Jr.
Victor Jr. argued the city’s treatment of his father was a form of harassment. “I don’t want to think that something like that could happen. [are] “There are other 100-year-olds who are being harassed like this,” he said. “Auckland has to change. The system is not working.”
Victor Jr. added that every time he calls 911 to report any property crime, he is put on hold. “It’s difficult to understand where our tax dollars are being spent,” the young Victor argued. “They can’t answer 911, but can they trouble you with the fence?”
Silva’s daughter-in-law, Elena Silva, called the entire situation “absurd.” “It’s kind of a joke,” she said. “When you drive around town, you see graffiti everywhere.”
KTVU claimed that an Oakland inspector contacted the station and promised to conduct an “immediate inspection” on Silva’s property. The media outlet expressed hope that the charges against the elderly man would be dismissed soon.
Meanwhile, Ms Silva offered practical advice for people hoping to live longer: “Just keep breathing and behave.”
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